NOVOSIBIRSK, March 22 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's defense order will total $9 billion in 2006, Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov said Wednesday.
"It is often said that Russia sells more weapons than it buys, but it is not true," Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister, told a news conference.
He said the state defense order had been estimated at $9 bln in 2006, whereas arms exports in 2005 had totaled $6 bln.
Ivanov, who on Monday was appointed chairman of a new commission overseeing the defense industry, also said China was Russia's strategic partner in many spheres, including military cooperation, though he refused to indicate the volume and nature of arms deals with the country as this was a commercial secret.
China has been a leading buyer of Russian military weaponry and equipment for many years, and over 120 Russian-built Su-27 and Su-30MKK (both have NATO reporting name Flanker) jet fighters make up the core of China's air force.
A Russian delegation accompanying President Vladimir Putin will depart from China after a two-day visit Wednesday.
